Obama supporters turn out for inaugural ball held at the Jackson UAW Hall

Jackson area resident Gretchen Marshall (right) attended the inaugural ball held at the Jackson UAW Hall on Monday. Marshall said she is a big Barack Obama supporter. The event was organized by the Democratic Women's Caucus of Jackson County.(Will Forgrave | MLive.com)

JACKSON, MI – About 100 people packed the UAW Hall at 1002 E. South St. in Jackson Monday night to celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration.

The event was put on by the Democratic Women's Caucus of Jackson County.

Event organizer Janice Sweet-Fairley said she was pleased with the turnout and was happy that the money raised would go toward the DWC's scholarship fund. Admission was a $10 donation for attendees 18 – 20 years old and $20 for those 21 years and older.

"It's wonderful that an event such as this will go toward helping the young people in the Jackson area," she said, adding the highlight of the night was the President's inauguration.

"Obama may not have gotten the Jackson County votes," she said, "but he got the Michigan votes, and we're all so excited that he'll be in office for another four years."

Jackson area resident Gretchen Marshall was one of the attendees at the ball.

"I'm thrilled that Obama won re-election," she said. "I'm a huge Obama supporter."

UAW member Larry Cognata echoed Marshall's remarks and said he was happy that the union was able to use their hall as the event's venue. The 2009 inaugural ball was held at Daryl's in downtown Jackson.

This year's ball included vendors, a cash bar, a DJ, catered food and a 50-50 raffle to help raise money for the DWC scholarship fund.

Barb Shelton, a 2012 Democratic State Representative candidate, attended the ball and said she "couldn't be happier" that Obama won re-election. Shelton lost to incumbent Earl Poleski in her attempt to represent Michigan's 64th district this fall.

"(Obama) is going to go down as one of the greatest presidents this country has ever had," she said.

Contact Will Forgrave at wforgrav@mlive.com or 517-262-7554. Follow him on Twitter at @WillForgrave.